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Gawked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gawked

[ษกษ”kt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

to stare rudely

To gawk means to stare openly and in a rude or awkward manner. It is often associated with people staring at something unusual or surprising, often to the point of being disrespectful. This verb can imply a lack of discretion or subtlety in how someone observes their surroundings. Gawking can occur in various situations, such as seeing a celebrity, a car accident, or an unusual event. The term is commonly used in informal contexts.

Synonyms

gawk, gaze, ogle, peer, stare.

Examples of usage

  • She gawked at the celebrity walking by.
  • The tourists gawked at the street performers.
  • He couldn't help but gawk at the magnificent building.
  • They gawked in disbelief at the news.
  • Children gawked at the circus animals.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often gawk when they're surprised or unintentionally drawn to something, like a loud noise or bright colors.
  • Staring or gawking can be a natural human reaction to something startling, part of our instinct to assess new situations.
  • Socially, gawking might signify curiosity, but it can also show a lack of awareness of social norms regarding personal space.

Pop Culture

  • Gawking has been humorously portrayed in various cartoons where characters dramatically stare at something ridiculous.
  • The act of gawking is often featured in movies, especially in scenes where something amazing or shocking occurs.
  • Reality TV shows sometimes highlight moments where characters gawk at shocking behavior, emphasizing their reactions.

Literature

  • Writers often use the act of gawking to convey characters' surprise, enhancing the emotional impact in narratives.
  • In many novels, gawking scenes serve as comic relief or highlight absurd situations that characters find themselves in.
  • Classic works include gawking as a motif to depict charactersโ€™ naivety or innocence in unfamiliar situations.

Origin of 'gawked'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'gawke,' meaning to stare stupidly or to gape.
  • Originally, it was related to the word 'gawk,' which referred to someone who looks foolish or awkward.
  • The term has connections to the Old Norse word 'gawka,' which means 'to stare' or 'to gape.'

The word 'gawk' has roots in the early 19th century, deriving from the Scottish word 'gawkit,' meaning fool or simpleton. It is believed to be a combination of 'gawk' and the Middle English 'gawke,' which relate to staring or gazing in a foolish or bemused manner. Over time, the noun form evolved into a verb, indicating the act of staring or gazing at something in a way that could appear clumsy or socially inappropriate. In contemporary usage, 'gawk' retains its informal and somewhat pejorative connotation, often implying a lack of awareness and decorum when observing people or situations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,089, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.